VA Bloggers Give Back

My good blog friend Bekah over @ Re-solve came up with a FANTASTIC idea!! And its BIG!! She wants to see the blogging community in the community! This will be a nationwide "blog meet up" but its no ordinary meet up. There will be a leader for each state/metro area who will be responsible for organizing a local community service event. Its going to be a great way for us to give thanks and give back!

So guess what? I am the leader for Virginia!! The event will be held in November and all bloggers are welcome (doesn't matter if you are new or a veteran blogger, a big or small blog, a fashion blog or food blog) !! After the event, we will blog about it to share our experiences with bloggers in other states and communities!!

So do you want to make a difference? (fill out this short survey so that I can contact you when we have more details)

If you are on the fence, then keep reading.

A few Sunday's ago, the music director of my church gave a guest sermon and I think it came at a great time in my life. The very end was about Jesus washing the disciples feet and saying "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." John 13:15

She ended on a question: What do you do to help others? I started to really evaluate that question and how it pertains to my life. What I am doing for others? Well I do things for my husband and my family and some friends but.....otherwise I haven't done anything for my community since college.

There are so many people out there that need our help. There are the elderly who can't get around as well anymore. There are the ill, the poor, the hungry. I could go on and on.

How is it that we can go about our daily lives and not help these people? I am not trying to cast blame or guilt on anyone but I am trying to be that voice inside of your head saying DO IT! Be a part of this challenge. Don't do it for self-worth. Do it because it will touch the lives of those around you. Do it because God calls us to action. You never know what kind of turn your life will take. What if you were the one that needed help and no one around you was willing to lend a hand?

Ok, now have i convinced you? I have not officially decided on an event yet but I am thinking Habitat for Humanity? Fill out this form if you are interested!!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1cwgg4UylWYlf2ejNDTt0g4wDoW-bDzliyBi8e3sKa1g/viewform?usp=send_form

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Message from Bekah

All throughout November, bloggers will be meeting up for good! #givethanksgiveback events will be taking place in the regions listed below - find one near you and get in touch with the blogger in that area for more information on their specific event and how you can help!

Don't see anything in your area? Contact Bekah to schedule your own #givethanksgiveback event!

Arkansas

Northwest Arkansas - MC Awesome

Georgia

Atlanta - Be Blessed, Ya'all

Maryland

Baltimore - re•solve

Western MD - Nifty Thrifty Lady

Mississippi

Southern - Byrd is the Word

Montana

Western - Failing Perfect

Oklahoma

OKC/Norman - Passion, Pink, & Pearls & Oklahoma Pepplers

South Carolina

Columbia - Divas with a Purpose

Texas

Dallas - Glitz n' Grits

Virginia

Richmond - Designer in Teal

Halloween Fever {Gabby Post}

Well, I can officially say it's fall! My favorite time of year. I don't know about you guys, but fall makes me feel all warm and happy. Who doesn't like falling leaves, pumpkin everything (I know, some people get tired of it quickly...) and cooler temps that mean I get to wear my favorite scarves and boots? Not to mention apple and pumpkin picking...hayrides...SIGH. <--that's my happy sigh. :)

We just happened to be coming up on my favorite month, too. OCTOBER. I started thinking about October, and my creative juices started flowing! I wanted to get some Fall/Halloween pillows, but they are all really expensive. SO, a trip to Joann fabrics solved that. I found a bunch of fabric I loved and an oh so easy envelope pillow case tutorial so I could make my own!

My pretty fabric

I decided to make some small pillows with the orange and black polka dot fabric. Here were a few of my inspirations:

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I also decided to add some details to my pillow and wanted the "BOO" sewn on to the front.

So here I go...

I followed the instructions in the tutorial and cut out a front that was 12.5"x 12.5" (the pillow is a 12"x12"). Then I cut the two back pieces  at 8.25" each (added 4" to the 12.5" and divided in half).

All my pieces cut out

Then I had to cut out my "BOO". I used some stencils and a chalk marker and traced onto the fabric and cut it out. Then I pinned and hand sewed the letters to the front of the pillow top with some black thread. At first I tried this with the machine, but I really didn't like how it looked. I opted for hand sewing and I'm so glad I did!

Didn't have to be perfect. I was glad the white fabric started fraying at the ends, gave it a cool look!

 Then I sewed the backs on the the front, shoved my pillow in and I was done!

After I made the first one, I decided to make more and send them to my sisters and sisters in law! I ended up making myself a couple pillows though. Had to keep some for myself. :)

My pillows

I have grand plans for these pillows, so check back at the end of the month!

So, with my "BOO" pillows in the mail with a couple other cute little Halloween things, I'm ready to move on to the main Halloween project: the mantel. Why is this a project? I don't even have a mantel over the fireplace! But, by the end of October, my living room will be a mixture of these two designs:

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Do you guys have Halloween fever yet? Or are you waiting it out? I will say mine hit early this year. At least I'm not buying Christmas decorations yet! ;)

Gabby